Sceptile (QC 1/2)

<p>Sceptile is different as it is faster than almost all the other Grass-types in VGC 2012. Sceptile also has a high Special Attack stat which when combined with allows it to fare well against big threats in the tier, such as Politoed and Gastrodon. With the release of Dream World, Sceptile was blessed with an amazing ability in Unburden; it doubles Sceptile's Speed when it uses its item and can work very well with Grass Gem. Unfortunately, Sceptile has been cursed with a small special movepool to choose from, which hinders its offensive capabilities. In addition to this, Sceptile's defenses are absolutely horendous, making it prone to almost any attack. All in all, Sceptile is a unique Grass-type that can be used on any team in need of a fast and strong Special Attacker.</p>

<p>A special attacking set is ideal for Sceptile as it has a high Special Attack and Speed stat. Leaf Storm is Sceptile's strongest STAB move that threatens one of the most common teams in the VGC metagame: rain teams. Leaf Storm can also KO almost everything that doesn't resist it. The Special Attack drop obtained as a result of using Leaf Storm can be troublesome, but most of the time, Sceptile will only be able to score one or two hits. Hidden Power Fire is essential as it hits Grass- and Steel-types that resist Leaf Storm, most notably Scizor and Metagross. Dragon Pulse provides additional coverage against Dragon-types such as Latias and Latios that resist both Leaf Storm and Hidden Power Fire. Giga Drain can be used with Leaf Storm for situations where the extra power from Leaf Storm isn't needed. Focus Blast mainly hits Fire- and Steel-types, most notably Heatran, harder than any of its other moves would, but the otherwise the coverage is redundant when Sceptile's is carrying Hidden Power Fire. Giga Drain also recovers some of Sceptile's HP which increases Sceptile's survivability. Detect, which can be used if you feel that having Giga Drain is redundant, allows Sceptile to dodge Fake Out and allows Sceptile to scout opponent's moves and playstyles. Detect works similar to Protect, except it has lesser PP and is not usually affected by Imprison as most Imprison users carry Protect over Detect.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>The EV spread used in this set maximizes Sceptile's Special Attack and Speed, while also compensating for the IV loss caused as a result of using Hidden Power Fire. Timid is the preferred nature as it allows Sceptile to outspeed a majority of the VGC 2012 metagame. If your team can provide Tailwind support to Sceptile, Modest should be used. Life Orb gives Sceptile a nice power boost which is always helpful, but it decreases Sceptile's survivability. Focus Sash allows Sceptile to survive one hit, allowing Sceptile to hit twice, but, since, hail and sandstorm are very common in the metagame, Focus Sash becomes a useless item. If Sceptile does manage to survive a hit with Focus Sash, it will gain an Overgrow-boosted, STAB Leaf Storm to hurt an opposing Pokemon with. As for teammates, Terrakion helps Sceptile as it can quickly take down Steel-, Flying-, and Fire-types that threaten Sceptile. Tailwind support from the likes of Tornadus will ensure that Sceptile outspeeds every non-Choice Scarf Pokemon in the metagame. Teammates with Taunt are also useful as they can prevent the opposition from trying to set up Trick Room.<p>

[Other Options]

<p>A physical set, or even a mixed set, is a possibilty as Sceptile possessess a rather decent Base 85 Attack along with a nice variety of physical moves to choose from. Unburden with Grass Gem as the item can be used, but it is unfortunately incompatible with Dragon Pulse, which means that if you want to use Unburden, Sceptile will lose its only coverage move against Dragon-types. Flying Gem + Acrobatics can be used together as well. If you do decide to run Unburden, a Modest nature can be used for a nice power boost. Leech Seed is a possiblity as well since Sceptile can possibly stall out opponents, while avoiding major damage with Substitute. Hidden Power Rock can be used if you seek coverage against Flying-types in the tier. Grasswhistle can be used to put opponents to sleep, but its low accuracy makes it very unreliable at times. Lastly, a gimmicky Endervor set can be used with Focus Sash to take down opponents, as Sceptile is fast and frail enough for this role.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>Steel-types such as Metagross, Scizor, and Ferrothorn become huge threats to Sceptile if it isn't carrying Hidden Power Fire as they can easily take any of Sceptile's moves and can then easily OHKO Sceptile due to its terrible defenses. Chansey and Blissey can easily wall Sceptile thanks to their very high Special Defense. They can also cripple Sceptile with Ice Beam. Since Sceptile doesn't carry any super effective coverage against Fire-types, they, especially Chandelure, pose a threat to Sceptile as they can easily OHKO it with a super effective STAB move. Trick Room is Sceptile's worst nightmare; since Sceptile is very fast, Trick Room cripples it by making it slower than almost every Pokemon in the metagame. In general, Pokemon that are faster than Sceptile and carry a super effective move can quickly take out Sceptile due to its pitiful defenses. Thundurus threatens Sceptile as it can paralysise Sceptile with priority Thunder Wave, resist Leaf Storm, and can OHKO Sceptile with Hidden Power Flying. Priority, from the likes of Hitmontop and Scizor, is also a problem for Sceptile due to its very low defenses. It should be noted that priority won't OHKO Sceptile most of the time, but it will surely do a lot of damage.</p>

It should be really noticed that Sceptile gets Acrobatics by TM, turning the dreaded Acrobatics/Flying Gem strategy even that much better with Unburden. It works great on the Physical set, and it also should be said that Dragon Claw will make up for the lost Dragon Pulse coverage.

Remove HP Rock and replace it with HP Ice, that hits a wider variety of Pokemon better.